Michelle Carlstrom MSW, BCC, CTM
Principal Consultant and Executive Coach
Hi, I’m Michelle. I help leaders navigate tough people problems and retain their best talent. Through consulting & executive coaching, we build emotional intelligence, tackle bully behaviors, bring hope to burnout, and address the impact of unprofessional behaviors. Let’s get started.
As principal consultant and executive coach of Build a Better Culture, Michelle draws on 20 years of expertise and workplace leadership in employee assistance, work/life and cultivating professionalism. She is an expert on the impact of coworker behaviors and has been a go-to partner for Executives, Deans and HR professionals in areas of managing at-risk and complex people problems; managing disruptive behavior, workplace bullying, and threats of violence; coaching abrasive leaders; cultivating professionalism; and fostering a positive work/life culture. With an MSW specializing in workplace social work, she is on the faculty at University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Darrow Brown, LCSW-C
Partner and Behavioral Specialist
Hi, I’m Darrow. I’ve logged countless sessions with people who have been identified as being abrasive or disruptive. It’s what I do, and I know there is more to the story. If you are a leader or HR professional wondering how much you should worry, what to say, or when to intervene, I can help you.
As a partner and behavioral specialist for Build a Better Culture, Darrow brings a set of concentrated experience and expertise in behavioral risk assessments for individuals whose behavior raises concerns and questions. Threat assessment, threat management, and behavioral risk assessment help employers better understand incidents of workplace aggression, threats, and escalating disruption. Darrow draws on 12 years of experience doing this exact work for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System. He is a go-to consultant for leaders who have concerns with disruptive behaviors, bullying and workplace violence. Prior to his clinical work, his previous career was as an Information Technology Professional. This unique career path has fostered the development of a diverse and valuable set of clinical, technical and leadership skills that enhance his expertise.
Karen Clark Salinas, MSW, MSEd, NBC-HWC
Partner and Certified Health & Wellness Coach
Hi, I’m Karen Clark Salinas. I’ve worked in toxic workplaces and lived in toxic relationships. I know about the destruction of chronic stress on your mind, body, and spirit. I offer health and wellness strategies for chronically stressed professionals so that they can take charge of their choices in work + life and live a life they love. And, my superpower is believing in that dream until you believe it too.
As a partner and health and wellness coach for Build a Better Culture, Karen brings years of experience as a work-life professional, coach, and educator at Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System. As a work-life professional, she helped the Office of Work, Life and Engagement deliver services and events to assist nearly 50,000 employees through the challenging intersections of work and life, including disruptive behavior, with a focus on helping employees build their best work-life mix across the career span. She holds an MSW, MSEd, and national board certification as a health and wellness coach, specializing in wellbeing and adult learning.